Rocky Mountain law firm Holland & Hart hires 6-lawyer team in Salt Lake City
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- Holland & Hart adds six lawyers from Utah firm Kirton McConkie
- Team adds to firm’s private client, tax and benefits practices
(Reuters) – Holland & Hart has brought on a group of private client and tax attorneys to advise high net worth clients in Salt Lake City, a hot market for law firm growth over the past year.
The six-lawyer team, which includes partners Brent Andrewsen and Thomas Mecham, joins Denver-founded Holland & Hart from Utah firm Kirton McConkie, the firm said on Monday.
Lawyers in Holland & Hart’s private client practice do estate planning and wealth management work for families, individuals, family offices and foundations with a focus on tax and wealth transfer matters, according to its website.
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“We are seeing a lot more wealth in the Intermountain West region,” said Steve Young, leader of the firm’s tax and benefits practice group.
The 470-lawyer firm looked to expand its private client group in Salt Lake City to support its work in Denver and other markets, he said.
Kirton McConkie didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the departure of the group, which also includes of counsel Brad Lowe and four associates.
Andrewsen, who advises nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, served for four years as chairman of 160-lawyer Kirton McConkie’s board until January, according to his LinkedIn account.
Utah’s capital has attracted several large law firms in the past year, due in part to a burgeoning technology sector in the region, as well as area universities and lifestyle factors.
Law firms including Kirkland & Ellis, Mayer Brown, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Foley & Lardner and Buchalter have recently opened outposts in Salt Lake City.
Firms that have been in the region for longer have also recently expanded there. Holland & Hart hired former Ballard Spahr emerging company and venture capital co-leader Todd Reece in Salt Lake City earlier this year.
Holland & Hart’s Salt Lake City office has more than 80 lawyers, according to its website.
“The secret is out that Utah is a great place to be,” Young said.
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